miller



R. R. MILLER. Fifth Wheel Head'- Clip.

Patented Feb. 22, 1870.

u PETERS. 10104 IYHHGMFHE Q ditched i sen gated dtjljiitr.

R. R. MILLER, OF PLANTSVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF INTEREST TO J. B. SAVAGE. 1

Letters Patent No 100,177, dated February 22, 1870.

IMPRO VEMEN 'T IN? PIFTH-WHEEL HEADS FOR CARRIAGES- The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

Figure 2, a plan of a portion" of a fifth-wheel headv embodying my invention.

Similar letters ofreference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to the head or circle upon which the fifth wheel is mounted, and which is suppoucd in position upon the axle or axle-bed by means ofdownward-projecting arms which form part of the head.

The-improvement consists in so forming that part of the head which rests upon the axle-bed that an increased area of bearing surface is aflbrded, andthe device rendered less apt to wear awaythe wood-work than those in common use.

In order'that others skilled in the art to which m y invention appertains may fully understaudand use the same, I will proceed to describe it in connection with the accompanying drawings.

7 Away represent partof the head or circle upon which the fifth wheel is mounted.

At each part of the head where it rests upon the axle-bed is formed a bearing, B, which surmounts the said axle-bed.

In my device, as in others, two arms, C C, extend downward from the head at the opposite sides of the bearing, soas to embrace the axle-bed, and hold the head A in position thereon.

It is customary to make the hearing B square or rectangular, necessitating the cut-ting away of the wood of the axle-bed .to make the seat fit snugly thereon, and giving the bearing a tendency to wear away the wood. The bearing B in my device is concave in conformity with the contour of the axle, and I thus obviate the above-mentioned objcctions.

D D represent wings formed upon the head A, and extending outward laterally at either side of the hearing B. The under sides of the wings are coincident with and constitute a continuation and part of the hearingB. They increase the area of the surface B sufiiciently to make it an effective and steady bearing.

Improvements in the separate parts or members of such complex' structures asvchicles necessarily involve but slight variations, yet the practical importance and value of the improvementherein described will not appear iuconsidcrable to the eyes of those familiar with the manufacture and application of the article in question.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fifth wheel head or circle as formed with a concave rest or bearing surface B, as and for the purpose set forth. a

2. The wings I) D projecting laterally from the rest B'and serving to increase the area of the hearing-surface, substantially as and for the purpose explained.

The above signed by me this 21st day of J aunary,

B. 11. MILLER.

\Vitnesses:

H. R. BRADLEY, 0. F. Puusozvs. 

